The Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort, during an in-house food drive, collected more than two tons — 4,307 pounds, to be exact — that was turned over to the Kauai Independent Food Bank on Friday morning.
The Kauai Independent Food Bank, still recovering from its big food pickup on Wednesday that provided the fixings for at least 500 families, was appreciative of the annual contribution from the Royal Sonesta.
KIFB Executive Director Kelvin Moniz said the food comes at a time when, while the government shutdown has ended, people who have been working without paychecks are just beginning to get back on their feet. The uncertainty of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and inflation leading to higher prices are additional obstacles hindering food access.
At the onset of the government shutdown, KIFB was one of the first groups to help more than 120 Transportation Security Administration workers and more than 60 U.S. Department of Agriculture airport inspectors with food packages that included premium items such as locally produced ground beef in addition to the emergency food items.
In addition to the food contribution from the Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort, Moniz said KIFB was the recipient of one of Nareit Hawaii’s five grants supporting nonprofits in Hawaii helping residents in need of community programs and hunger relief.
In the Nareit announcement made on Tuesday, the day before the big food pickup, Nareit Hawaii presented a $25,000 grant to KIFB to support the food bank’s six-person operation. KIFB feeds residents of all ages, including delivery of easy-to-prepare, low-sodium and high-protein meals to the elderly, and providing children with healthy snacks at school and food on weekends through its Backpack Program.
Nareit Hawaii represents the interests of Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) in Hawaii and their participation in civic, community and policy initiatives.
REITs are long-term property holders that own, renovate and manage affordable housing projects, commercial buildings, medical facilities, shopping centers, cell phone towers, public storage facilities and hotels in Hawaii.
For more information on donating to the Kauai Independent Food Bank, visit its new website at www.kauaifoodbank.org, or call 808-246-3809.
Source: The Garden Island
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